Section 162 — Official searches

(1)Any person may apply in the approved form for an official search in the land‑register to be made on the person’s behalf.

(2)Upon receipt of such an application, the Registrar must cause a diligent search to be made, and must issue a certificate of the result of that search to the person requiring it.

(3)Any purchaser for whom or on whose behalf an official search is obtained, and who suffers loss or damage by reason of any error in, or omission from, that official search, may recover compensation from the assurance fund.

(4)A solicitor for whom or on whose behalf an official search has been obtained is not answerable for any loss or damage which may arise from any error in, or omission from, that official search.

(5)An official search must be sent by registered post, or delivered manually or by fax to the applicant as the applicant may require.